Five Star singer joins Thriller

Five Star were best known for Rain or Shine and The Slightest Touch

Former Five Star lead vocalist Denise Pearson will make her London West End debut in Thriller - Live, a musical based on the career of Michael Jackson.

She will be joined by Ricko Baird, who choreographed and doubled for Jackson in the You Rock My World video.

Baird has also toured alongside the singer, whose hits include Bad and The Way You Make Me Feel.

The show, which has already toured Germany and Holland, starts in January at London's Lyric Theatre.

Earlier this month open auditions were held to find a young actor to play Jackson on stage.

Five Star was made up of five brothers and sisters

Three teenagers, all aged 13, were selected after they impressed the casting panel by singing the Jackson 5 hit I Want You Back.

The opening performance of the show, which celebrates Jackson's career and features his hits, will take place on 2 January.

The singer himself is not involved in the production.

Essex group Five Star were a family group in the style of the Jacksons, scoring top 10 hits from the mid-80s including Rain or Shine and System Addict.